On Thursday, September 22 at 6pm, join Massy Arts, Massy Books, and Vancouver-based fantasy author Yessoh G.D. for a book talk on his book “Ta Le, Book 1: Knowledge” (2021, Biblet Atafai Books).
At this in-person event, DG will be joined by guest host Jacky Essombe in an intimate discussion about current themes in his book, an action-packed ride into the worlds of fantasy, mysticism, and African culture. At the reception, guests will enjoy music by artist Kocassalé Dioubaté.
Ta Le, Book 1: Knowledge is a story about two young African men who are thrown into a mystical world, who were until now, completely stranger to – a world only tangible to a very close circle of unusual people on the African continent. These young men will have to learn to navigate in this new, mesmerizing, brutal realm in order to reach their objectives. The book expands on the mundane, the mystique, the vast, and vividly deep African culture and philosophy.
This event is free + open to all of our community, and registration is mandatory. The gallery is wheelchair accessible and a gender-neutral washroom is on-site.
Covid Protocols: For all in-person events, attendees must provide proof of vaccination, wear a mask (N95 masks are encouraged and recommended as they offer the best protection), and consent to having their temperature checked at the front door. We ask that if you are showing any symptoms, that you stay home. Thank you kindly.
Please be sure to register for this event.
You can purchase Ta Le, Book 1: Knowledge by Yessoh G.D. at the event.
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Book Contest
Attendees at this event have a chance to win prizes! Read the rules carefully and message Yessoh G.D. to receive exclusive gifts at this book talk.
Rules:
TA LĘ , book1: knowledge holds 11 artworks – and you have a chance to receive a framed one!
To be a part of this contest, name each artwork according to their names from the book – or briefly describe them in a sentence if you believe after careful scrutiny that the appropriate name is not in the book. Pay attention to the order in which the artworks are presented.
The response should be presented as followed:
Contestant’s name
Chosen artwork’s number to be framed.
Artwork 1: response (name or description)
Artwork 2: response (name or description)
Artwork 3: response (name or description)
(…)
The first contestant to deliver all correct names or descriptions of the artworks will seal the first prize category and will be rewarded at the book event with:
– A framed artwork of the contestant’s choice
– 500 CAD
– A signed copy of the book
The first contestant to deliver 8 correct names or descriptions out of the 11 artworks will seal the second prize category and will be rewarded at the event with:
– A frame artwork of the contestant’s choice
– 200 CAD
– A signed copy of the book
Please send your answers to yessohgdcontest@gmail.com with the artwork you wish to receive for your prize. The contest closes on September 9th, 2022. Yessoh G.D. is responsible for all prizes and this contest’s organization. If the contestant has not chosen an artwork to be framed, a random artwork will be chosen.
Follow Yessoh G.D. on twitter at @yessohgd.
Visit the tale website for more info about the book and the author.
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Book
When two strangers are thrown into a world of African sorcery, unseen evil, and mystical phenomena, they are forced to confront a fantastical realm that they never imagined existed.
Very few manage to land a job working in the special services for the West African government of Côte d’Esperance. Even fewer are given the responsibility that has been entrusted to Kobenan at such a young age in a role that includes analysing files for the secretive S-cell; a unit which specializes in incidents involving African mysticism and sorcery.
Tasked with investigating a high-profile murder, seemingly brought about by mystical means, Kobenan joins Agent Biafle in order to diffuse this delicate political situation. What Kobenan discovers will force him to change his perspective on the world around him as he learns truths he never thought possible, and things he never imagined.
Dive into a world shrouded in mystery and learn of the multifaceted face of Africa. Its lives, its rituals, its many beliefs and thought processes. Observe what one will never be able to see if he has not gained access to a very specific circle rooted in the continent.
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Author
Yessoh G.D. grew up in a small city of warmth and joy in the Ivory Coast, also known as Côte d’Ivoire, officially the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, a country on the southern coast of West Africa.
When he was not going to school, he was lost in his thoughts on various subjects. He still is, but now on specific subjects from his own personal experiences to the knowledge he acquired about African heritage since his birth.
He believes that books have the power to change people for the betterment of the whole. When he is not day-dreaming about stories and the world, he is a visual effects artist and a gamer. Yessoh did the visual effects for several studio projects, including Netflix’s Lost In Space.
He studied telecommunications in Morocco and then moved to India for six years, where he transitioned to study computer generated imagery. He specialized in 3-D animation and visual effects. Yessoh has worked on many films, television shows, and commercials, including for Disney, Netflix, and Apple TV.
He currently lives in Vancouver, Canada.